It’s been a long road for Jaguar’s long-awaited sub-XK sportscar, as fans have been holding their breath for something small, tossable and decked out in Ian Callum sheet metal since the 2000 F-Type Concept. And though this C-X16 is technically a concept, it’s been approved for production and according to Autocar its supercharged V6 hybrid drivetrain is

expected to appear in other Jaguar Land Rover vehicles before the end of next year.

Unfortunately, between the hybrid drivetrain and a platform that will also be used on the next-gen XK, the C-X16 isn’t as light as the new 911 it benchmarks. I’m not a huge fan of the interior either, which Jaguar calls “1 + 1.” But with Carrera performance, high-tech toys like a KERS regenerative braking system, and about 3,500 lbs of kerb weight, the C-X16 has a lot of the things people look for in a premium sportscar. Besides, once Porsche’s “Baby Boxster” comes out, perhaps Jaguar will follow it closer to “true Roadster” territory…

Not as enthralled with the interior – a few weird things going on in there, starting with the Tron arcade joystick where the gear lever should be and the OSHA approved railing on the passenger side of the console.

Take the leaping cat badge off the front grille and this could be a Nissan or Mazda (with their new design language) design study. The front doesn’t speak “Jaguar” to me. However, the side and rear views are pretty awesome with a hint of XK-E.

From the side, it hints at Ferrari. From the front, a cross between 370Z and some random Mazda. And, from the rear, those tail lights almost whisper, “Acura RSX.”

But I don’t care. I think it’s gorgeous. Just like the XJ.

Say what you will about my opinion here today, I’ve venture 90% (or more) of the people who prattle on about the performance or handling of cars in this segment are neither willing nor able to extract, fully, anything of the sort.

Wouldn’t mind parking one of these next to my B99 when I win Powerball, all my stocks make big digit gains, and the executor for the estate of my late long-lost cousin from Nigeria finally sends the check. :)

I like the loud interior, except for the bar on the passenger side of the gear selector. I mean, it covers up the HVAC controls – and could a car this expensive really come without dual-zone? On the other hand, I suppose it’s a control freak’s dream come true!